Nothing political here, just a question. It’s about that TV show on TNT, Falling Skies. It had the third season premiere last night, and I’m wondering when I should watch it.
Let me pause for a moment and let you know my situation. A couple of years ago, I dropped cable. I watch TV over the Internet, mostly using a Roku, but I also get content via Apple TV and Xbox. I can also watch or record over-the-air (OTA) content using Simple.TV (it plays through Roku), but I generally use services like Hulu Plus to watch current content, even if it’s also OTA.
And that’s the problem. As much money as I’m saving by using streaming services rather than cable or satellite — and I’m saving a lot — the downside is that shows that aren’t OTA or included in Hulu Plus, well, I have to buy those a la carte. Or wait a while to watch them. Keep in mind that even using pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) for current content, I still pay a lot less for TV than I did in 2010.
Some people, Frank J included, use a computer to watch TV. That home theater personal computer (HTPC) approach works well enough; in fact, some prefer that setup. I’m one of those that doesn’t. I’ve tried it, and I’ve tried other devices, but, for me, I’ve limited myself to using my three set-top boxes.
I realize that this means I’ve put some limitations on myself, and could solve things by removing those limitations. But, honestly, I don’t want to. I’m aware of the limitations, and have decided to go the way I’ve gone for cost and simplicity. I’m at the balance I want, insofar as ways to watch TV. That may change, as technology changes, but for the foreseeable future, I’m using Roku, Roku/Simple.TV, Apple TV, and Xbox.
Those limitations also mean I have to make some choices. And I’m asking for input so I can make a choice.
Last year, I finally watched Falling Skies. I had already dropped cable by the time it premiered on TNT, and never got around to checking it out. I’m an Amazon Prime member. That means that, not only do I get better shipping terms, I get a shipload of TV and movies available for streaming to my Roku and Xbox, as well as to my mobile devices.
Falling Skies is one of those shows. I watched the first two seasons, and am looking forward to the new season, which actually began last night.
Since I don’t have cable, I didn’t see the show. Now, I have a couple of choices: I can buy the season for $1.89 (SD) or $2.84 (HD) an episode. That means, for the full 10-episode season, it would be $18.90 – $28.40.
Now, if I wait until late in the year, it’ll be available for a discount of around 25-40% off. And, if I wait until even later, it’ll likely show up on Amazon Prime.
So, I can buy shows now, buy shows later at a discount, or wait several months and watch them all for no extra money.
Did you see the episodes last night? Were they great? Did they suck? And, if they were great, should I go ahead and pony up the money to watch the shows?
Whaddaya think?
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